Epidemiology of cardio-renal syndromes: workgroup statements from the 7th ADQI Consensus Conference

Observational and clinical trial data have accrued to show that acute/chronic heart disease can directly contribute to and/or accelerate acute/chronic worsening kidney function and vice versa. A description of the epidemiology of heart?kidney interaction, as defined by the proposed consensus cardio-renal syndrome (CRS) definitions, is a critical initial step towards understanding not only the overall burden of disease for each of the proposed CRS subtypes, but also their natural history, associated morbidity and mortality and potential health resource implications [1]. Importantly, these CRS subtypes may have important discriminating features in terms of predisposing or precipitating events, risk identification, natural history and outcomes. Likewise, a surveillance of the epidemiology is vital for determining whether there exist important gaps in knowledge and for the design of future epidemiologic investigations and clinical trials. Accordingly, this article will summarize the epidemiology of CRS.